Christmas Day was filled with gratitude and grace. First, my family was able to visit my parents. My brother hosted us at their house with a delicious brunch complete with homemade eggnog, sirloin sliders and banana bread. Mom enjoyed being surrounded by family and stayed up for a while to visit with us. This new mom is so different from the full-of-energy, happy, spirited mom I knew all my life. Now our mom is the steadfast, uncomplaining, accepting mom who sleeps most of the day and speaks little, yet the words she does say are often words of gratitude and warmth. Her days are waning, but graced with the love of so many including my dad who still has terrific energy and zest for life.
Cognizant of the COVID virus, we made a choice to continue our extended family gatherings. All were vaccinated and most boosted as we gathered with a somewhat smaller crowd than in the past. It's good to gather to continue the family holiday traditions in same and different ways. In addition to visiting my parents' at my childhood home, on Christmas Eve, we gathered at the newlywed's home for a festive seafood dinner. It was great to be entertained by the next generation in the comfort of their home with my daughter-in-law's lovely familly. Then on Christmas afternoon, three of my siblings and their families gathered at my home. It was a lively gathering that included a book swap, Yankee swap, dinner of ham, spinach-feta calzones, squash, chili, bread, mac and cheese, salad, sundaes and sweets, karaoke, Scrabble, lots of storytelling and good cheer. I stopped at one moment just to take in the scene which included many young adults who are currently in school, beginning their professional lives and enjoying new relationships. One goal of the year ahead is to become as healthy as I can in order to keep up with these spirited, energized young people.
There's more celebrations to come including gathering with old friends and more family members and an intimate New Year's celebration. Then onto the new year and a renewed commitment to a positive, healthy routine with an emphasis on simple living, reading a lot and healthy activity/choices.
As I think about the holidays for 2022, it's hard to imagine what we'll be like since so many loved ones are in the midst of transitions, so likely like this year, we'll talk next fall to make plans. I hope those plans will include the opportunity to gather as a family, enjoyable activities, healthy delicious foods, and lots of good stories about the year's highlights and challenges met. Onward.